Decision details

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved the draft Haringey Library Strategy 2026–30.1.
   
   
2. Noted the findings of the consultation report and updated Equalities Impact Assessment.
   
   

Reasons for decision

The Council had a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service for those who lived, worked or studied in the borough. The duty was supplemented by government guidance, which although not statutory, still had to be taken into account. The guidance advised that changes to library services should be based on strategic plans and consideration of alternative delivery models, and on careful assessment of needs and consideration of impacts and mitigations.

When the Council adopted revised operating hours for the library service in December 2024, in the absence of a specific library strategy, it used the principles which already underpinned its Arts & Culture Strategy – Access, Collaboration, Equity, Growth, Lifelong Learning, Visibility & Representation – to inform that decision. The Council also committed as part of that decision to developing a dedicated library strategy to underpin future development of the library service and put it on a sustainable footing for the future. This report gave effect to that commitment, following detailed consultation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

Alternative options considered

The Council could have decided not to adopt a Library Strategy. However, this would have left the library service without an underpinning strategic direction and would have undermined the Council’s conformity with its statutory duty in respect of library provision. This option was therefore not recommended.